The US audiobook industry generated $1.6 billion in 2021, with Audible contributing $1.01 billion to this figure. If you didn’t know already, Audible is owned by Amazon. As of 2022, Amazon’s Audible dominates the US audio publishing market with a significant 63.4% market share, positioning Amazon as the industry leader.

So, if you’re an author wondering how to make money selling audiobooks on Amazon, you’re in the right place!

Amazon is a great place to sell your audiobook if you’re thinking about making one. In this blog, we explain how to sell audiobooks on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes via ACX.

We will also briefly discuss alternative methods of distribution and help you determine the most suitable option for your audiobook. Let’s get started!

Amazon Audiobook Publishing: Which Distributors Reach Amazon?

One of the most popular ways of selling audiobooks on Amazon is through Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX). ACX is an Amazon-owned audiobook production and distribution platform.

It connects authors, narrators, and publishers to aid the process of audiobook production and distribution. ACX works like Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) but for audiobooks.

You don’t have to produce your audiobook with ACX. You can produce the it yourself and use ACX as a distributor. ACX will distribute your audiobook on Amazon, Audible, and Apple Books.

 

Currently, ACX offers audiobook distribution services for the US, UK, Canada, and Ireland region. If you live outside of these countries, you will have to turn to other distributors. That’s right! ACX is not the only way to publish your audiobook on Amazon.

If you want to publish your audiobooks from any other part of the world or publish on other platforms like Google, KOBO, or Audiobooks.com (which ACX doesn’t cover), you will need to use other distributors.

Findaway Voices, Author’s Republic, and PublishDrive  are a few ACX alternatives. What sets these platforms apart? Apart from the audience reach, they offer different royalty structures.

Your choice of audiobook distributor should depend on your audience. You need to know who your audience is and where they buy their audiobooks before deciding on a distributor.

Read our blog to learn more about different audiobook distributors, their royalty structures, and reach.

If your audience if mostly in regions covered by ACX, choose them as your distribution partner. If your target audience is outside those countries, look for another audiobook distributor.

How to Sell Audiobooks on Amazon with ACX

Are you ready to sell audiobooks on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes? Here is a quick step-by-step guide on how to publish an audiobook on Amazon via ACX.

Step 1. Create an ACX Account:

ACX currently caters to residents of the US, UK, Canada, and Ireland. To create an ACX account, ensure you have a valid mailing address, banking details, and tax numbers in one of these countries.

Visit www.acx.com, if you fit these requirements. If not, look into other audiobook distribution channels like Findaway Voices, Author’s Republic, and PublishDrive.

If you have an Amazon account, you can simply sign up on ACX.com with those credentials. If you don’t, we suggest you make an Amazon account first.

Step 2. Submit Registration Form

After logging into your ACX account, you will be directed to a registration form. This contains your basic information and some additional details that need to be filled in.

After you submit the form, three options will appear on your screen. These are:

• Start My Audiobook
• Set up Payment Information
• Complete Tax Information

Click on the “Start My Audiobook” option. You will be directed to a page where you can look up your book in the Amazon catalog and select it.

Keep in mind that a book must already be available on Amazon in print or eBook format to be claimed on ACX.

If you are not redirected automatically, you can click the “Add My Title” button. The Amazon catalog will open, and you can select your book from the options.

You will see two options pop up on the screen once you select your book.

1. I want to produce and narrate my audiobook.
2. I want to sell the audiobook.

Assuming you already have the audiobook narrated and are only interested in selling it, select the second option.

Step 3. Select Territories and Distribution

Next, you will be prompted to select the territory where your audiobook is distributed. Choose the regions in which you are the authorized publisher and distributor of your audiobook. If this section confuses you, talk to your publisher. They’ll help you select the territory.

If you are a self-published author, simply select “World” because you own all the rights to your work. Then you have to decide on the distribution of your audiobook.

You have two options here: exclusive or non-exclusive distribution.

If you distribute exclusively through ACX on ACX-supported platforms (Amazon, Audible, Apple), you get a 40% royalty share. If you go the non-exclusive route, you can publish on other platforms but ACX will only offer a 25% royalty share.

There is also a third distribution option for authors who haven’t had their audiobooks produced yet. You can choose the royalty share option for 20% royalty and no upfront audiobook production cost. This is a good option for new and upcoming authors, who are looking to save production costs.

Choose your preferred distribution option. Select the book’s language and press ‘Continue.’

Step 4. Review Terms

The terms and conditions page will be displayed. Take your time in reading all the details and once you have read the document, click the “Accept and Continue” button.

Step 5. Fill in the Details

You will then be prompted to a ‘Describe Your Audiobook’ page. Fill in the requested details such as the title, author, genre, category, and a brief description of your audiobook project.

The audiobook description is much like your book’s description. It essentially lets potential listeners know what they can expect from the book. You need to describe your audiobook within 2000 characters.

Step 6. Post Your Audiobook Files

You will need to upload the audio files chapter by chapter on ACX. The platform reminds you to follow the correct capitalization and a consistent naming pattern with a pop-up window reminder.

You can import the table of contents from Amazon Kindle if your book is already published on the platform. If not, individually type in the chapter names in the text box provided. Start with a new line for every chapter. Save and Continue.

You will be redirected to the “Produce Your Audiobook” page. You’ll notice a gray square with the words “Upload Cover Art” on the left.

Click it to browse the cover image on your computer. Upload the cover image.

Technical Requirements for Uploading Audiobook Cover Image  on ACX: ACX only accepts JPG, PNG, or TIF files The image should have a pixel size of 2400 x 2400. The title of the audiobook must appear in the image. Horizontal or vertical image borders are allowed.

Scroll down after uploading your book cover and make sure the chapter titles are in the right order by double-checking them. One by one, upload the chapter files for every book chapter. Make sure you are uploading the right chapter file with each title.

In case of ACX’s audio analysis identifies any parts of your audio that don’t match their specifications, you will see a red note that reads, “Issues found with uploaded audio”.

You can access the “Audio Analysis Tab” to see specifically the exact problem (volume, length, etc.) that needs to be addressed.

Step 7. Submit Audiobook for Review

Click “I’m Done” on the right side of the page after uploading the audio files.

You will see a pop-up informing you that you’re going to submit your audiobook for review. It will ask you to confirm once more that:

• You have uploaded the cover art for the retail display and the final retail information.
• The distribution of this audiobook to Audible, Amazon, and iTunes and its uploading to ACX have been approved.
• The audio files corresponding with the chapter names are correct and formatted appropriately for store display.

Check the box and select “Yes, I approve” if all those conditions are met. Your audiobook is submitted for audio review which can take up to 30 business days.

In case, ACX encounters any problems with your submission, be it with the audio files or the details you filled in, they will contact you.

Step 8. Fill In Payment Details

Before you complete the publishing process, you need to update your tax details so ACX can send in your payments and you can make money selling audiobooks on Amazon.

At the top of your page, you will see your name, hover the cursor over it, and select “Account Settings” from the drop-down menu. In the settings, select “Tax Information” and update the required information.

Go back to the account settings. Click on the “Bank Information” option and fill in the details required. Your account setup is now complete.

How to Create an Audiobook for Amazon?

Are you curious about how to create an audiobook for Amazon? If you haven’t recorded one yet, there are two ways to do it. You can either produce and distribute it through ACX or produce it yourself and only distribute it through ACX.

In the previous sections, we have already discussed the distribution options ACX offers. Now, the question arises: Is ACX the best option for producing an audiobook for Amazon?

Before discussing the pros and cons of using ACX for production, let’s first explore the process of creating your audiobook through ACX.

Step 1- Posting Audition Material

You will post a one-page excerpt of your manuscript on the platform which will be the audition material for the voice actors. Interested voice actors or producers can audition for the part. You can also invite producers or voiceover artists that you’ve previously worked for or whose work you like.

Step 2- Electing a Producer

Select a producer you want to work with and make them an offer. Once they accept the offer and finalize terms you are good to go.

ACX offers two contract types or work deals you can explore:

• Upfront Payment: You agree on a flat rate or per-hour rate with the producer on the project.
• Royalty Share: You and the producer split the book’s royalties 50-50 instead of an upfront payment.

Step 3- Producer Review

You do not have to work with a producer without reviewing their work. The producer you choose is required to produce a 15-minute sample. Once you review and approve this sample, the producer will move to record the entire audiobook.

Step 4- Revision and Distribution

If you’re unhappy with the narration of the book, you can ask the producer for up to 2 rounds of revisions once the audiobook is completed. Once completely narrated, your book is ready to be distributed through ACX on Amazon, Audible, and Apple Books.

Creating an Audiobook via ACX: Pros and Cons

If you are a first-time author, it is advisable to have your book professionally narrated. Producing a professional-sounding audiobook can be challenging without the right equipment and experience.

Buying or renting audiobook equipment to record just one audiobook isn’t a good idea. Instead of trying to juggle everything on your own, you can let the professionals at ACX handle it for you.

The drawback here is the cost of hiring a producer. ACX offers a royalty share option where you do not have to pay anything upfront to produce your audiobook, but you only get a 20% royalty share. This is the safe choice for first-time authors.

Even on ACX, you may end up with producers unwilling to make the changes or adhere to deadlines. If that is the case, you can terminate your offer and start your search again but that is a time-consuming process.

This is where BookQuill audiobook services can help you. Produce your own audiobook by choose from a mix of professional narrators that ensure high-quality audio and offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Final Thoughts

By creating an audiobook, your work can reach a wider audience. Currently, the audiobook market is largely dominated by Amazon and Audible. Choosing ACX as your distributor allows you to tap into these platforms, as well as Apple Books. With its non-exclusive distribution option, you can distribute your book to other platforms besides Amazon, Audible, and iTunes for a lower royalty share of 25%.

Before listing your audiobook on ACX, define your audiobook goals. Consider the extent of distribution you desire, the platforms you wish to manage, and your preferred royalty share. These considerations will help you choose the best audiobook distributor and ensure a successful audiobook release.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Sell Audiobooks on Amazon?

Yes, Amazon is one of the largest retailers of audiobooks. One of the most common ways to produce and distribute audiobooks is through ACX. ACX is a one-stop platform to distribute audiobooks on Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books.

Is Selling Audiobooks on Amazon Profitable?

Selling audiobooks on Amazon can be profitable. It depends upon the royalty structure you agree on with your distributor. Authors can make a few thousand dollars in audiobook sales per month. Typically audiobooks that make the big bucks are celebrity memoirs or ones by famous authors.

How Much Does Amazon Pay for Audio Books?

If you distribute your audiobook exclusively through ACX, you get up to 40% of royalty on book sales. If you choose the ACX royalty share option, you get 25% royalty. The royalty structure will vary according to the distributor. It’s best to discuss it with the distributor beforehand.

How to Sell on Audible?

To sell your audiobook on Audible, you can use ACX. If you opt for exclusive distribution through ACX, you’ll commit to a seven-year contract. During this time, your audiobook can only be sold on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes, earning a 40% royalty. With non-exclusive distribution, your audiobook is available on Audible and iTunes, earning a 25% royalty, and you’re free to distribute it elsewhere.